Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543413
PRIME Minister Robert Abela has rejected claims he interfered in the work of the judiciary, insist- ing he has "full respect" for Judge Lawrence Mintoff and will answer questions in the appropriate fo- rum. Speaking in reaction to an explo- sive letter sent by Lawrence Mintoff to Castille, Abela refuted allega- tions that he sought to influence judicial matters or placed personal interests above the independence of the courts. "I tried explaining in parliament, but I was interrupted by the Oppo- sition leader," Abela said. "I have al- ready explained that I have the full respect for Judge Lawrence Mintoff, and all of the judiciary." Abela said he believes he will be questioned by the Commissioner for Standards in the Judiciary over the contents of the letter. WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT WEDNESDAY EDITION €1.00 WEDNESDAY • 25 FEBRUARY 2026 • ISSUE 979 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY SEE ANALYSIS PAGES 4-5: Malta's neutrality tested: Five lessons from Ukraine Abela denies claims of interference EDITORIAL • PAGE 11 CONTINUES PAGE 2 Remembering four years of defiance and sacrifice THIS week marks four years since Russia's full- scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, a war that began with hopes in Moscow of a swift vic- tory but instead became a grinding conflict marked by immense human suffer- ing and resilient defence. Despite relentless pres- sure, Ukraine has held firm, preventing the collapse of its government and blunt- ing Russia's initial advance. The war has brought heavy military and civilian loss- es and displaced millions, while Russian strikes on infrastructure and cities continue. Moscow still controls about a fifth of Ukraine's territory, includ- ing Crimea, though front lines have shifted little in recent months. Over the past year, fol- lowing a tense Oval Office confrontation in which Volodymyr Zelenskyy was publicly rebuked by Don- ald Trump, doubts have surfaced about the dura- bility of US support. Yet the European Union has remained steadfast, provid- ing political, military, and humanitarian assistance. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said yester- day that the bloc's soli- darity with Ukrainians "is more than a symbol — it is a commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." Malta's Foreign Minister Ian Borg likewise affirmed: "We honour the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people and reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's sov- ereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders." JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt SLAVA UKRAINI: KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Prime Minister Robert Abela (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday JUDGE MINTOFF LETTER: